Remembering the 1991 Uprising: Liberation of Akre, Bardarash and Badinan

PUKMEDIA Archive

The Kurdish uprising.

Today, Thursday, 12 March, marks the anniversary of the liberation of the cities of Akre and Bardarash, as well as the Badinan region, from the control of the Ba’athist regime in 1991. Within a short time, local residents succeeded in taking control of all government offices and institutions, driving out the remaining forces of the former regime.

The liberation of these areas became an important turning point and a strong incentive for people to continue their struggle to free the rest of Kurdistan from the remnants of the collapsed regime.

The spark of the uprising first ignited on 5 March 1991 in the city of Ranya, which later became known as the “Gateway to the Uprising”. The city and its surrounding areas were quickly liberated, and the movement soon spread to other parts of the region.

By 7 March, the uprising had reached Sulaymaniyah, where residents took control of government buildings and institutions, particularly the security headquarters, whose personnel fled the city. On 9 March, the cities of Koya, Shaqlawa and Kifri were liberated.

On 10 March, several areas near Erbil were also freed, including Salahaddin Resort, Taq Taq, Rawanduz, Harir, Haji Omran and Mergasur. On 11 March, uprisings also took place in the cities of Khanaqin and Erbil.

On 12 March, the districts of Jalawla, Makhmur, Akre, Khanaqin and Sheikhan were liberated. The following day, Zakho was freed, followed by Duhok on 14 March.

The uprising culminated with the liberation of Kirkuk on 21 March 1991, coinciding with Nowruz, the Kurdish national holiday.



PUKMEDIA